Question

To help minimize the risk of postoperative respiratory complications after a hypophysectomy, during preoperative teaching, the nurse should instruct the client how to:

A. Use incentive spirometry.
B. Turn in bed.
C. Take deep breaths.
D. Cough.

Answer 1

To minimize the risk of postoperative respiratory complications after a hypophysectomy, the nurse should instruct the client to use incentive spirometry to encourage deep breathing and prevent lung complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

To help minimize the risk of postoperative respiratory complications after a hypophysectomy, the nurse should instruct the client how to use incentive spirometry. Incentive spirometry is a method to encourage deep breathing to inflate the lungs fully and prevent areas of the lung from collapsing and to expel any mucus which could cause respiratory complications. Deep breathing and the use of incentive spirometry can help to keep the airways open and maintain proper lung volumes after surgery.

Using incentive spirometry will benefit postoperative recovery by improving pulmonary function and reducing the risk of pneumonia or atelectasis. This is particularly important since general anesthesia can cause respiratory muscles to temporarily lose their function, leading to reduced lung volumes. Consequently, patients are encouraged to take deep breaths and sometimes cough to help clear the airways of secretions.